Camera attachment and image data processing for temperature measurement

ABSTRACT

A camera attachment for measuring a temperature of a surface, and related methods of measuring the temperature of the surface, employ a temperature reactive material that is thermally coupled with the surface and imaged to provide image data of the temperature reactive material that is analyzed to measure the temperature. A camera attachment for measuring a temperature of a surface includes a distal surface configured to be thermally coupled with the surface, a frame configured to be coupled with a camera that has a field of view, and a temperature reactive material coupled with the frame and thermally coupled with the distal surface. The frame positions the temperature reactive material within the field of view of the camera so that an image captured by the camera includes at least a portion of the temperature reactive material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/478,978, filed Mar. 30, 2017, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to temperature measurementsystems and methods. In some embodiments, an image processing method isprovided for measuring temperature. In further embodiments, a cameraattachment is provided for measuring temperature.

There are different types of existing temperature measurement devices.For example, there are different types of existing thermometers used tomeasure body temperature. One such type of thermometer is a mercurythermometer. Other types of thermometers include infrared thermometersand thermistor thermometers. A liquid crystal thermometer can also beused to measure body temperature via skin contact. While such devicesare generally acceptable for measuring temperature, it may beadvantageous to increase the availability and accessibility oftemperature measurements.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to temperature measurementsystems and methods. Some embodiments of the present disclosure increasethe availability and accessibility of temperature measurements. Forexample, in some embodiments, an image processing method is provided formeasuring temperature. In some embodiments, temperature measurement isbased on image data and specifically based on image data associated witha temperature reactive material (TRM). Further, in some embodiments, acamera attachment is provided for measuring temperature. In someembodiments, the camera attachment is configured to couple with asmartphone. Given the ubiquitous nature of smartphones, the attachmentcan be used to convert a smartphone into a temperature measurementdevice to provide readily accessible temperature measurements. In someembodiments, the attachment is a passive attachment (without electronicsor need for a power supply) and may thereby reduce manufacturing costsand increase availability.

For example, in some embodiments, a camera attachment is provided thatincludes a frame configured to couple with a camera. The camera has afield of view. In some embodiments, the camera attachment includes atemperature reactive material (TRM) that is coupled with the frame. Theframe is configured to position the TRM within the field of view of thecamera such that images captured by the camera include at least aportion of the TRM.

In some embodiments, the frame is configured to position the TRMdirectly within the field of view of the camera. For example, the framecan position the TRM directly within the field of view of the camera inembodiments without any intervening objects and/or optics between theTRM and the camera. As another example, the frame can position the TRMdirectly within the field of view of the camera in embodiments with oneor more lenses disposed between the TRM and the camera. As yet anotherexample, the frame can position the TRM directly within the field ofview of the camera in embodiments in which one or more lenses arepositioned between the TRM and the camera, and the one or lenses (e.g.,a fish-eye lens) increase the field of view of the camera such that theTRM is positioned in the increased field of view but would be outsidethe regular field of view if the one or more lenses were not present.

In some embodiments, the frame positions the TRM indirectly within thefield of view of the camera. For example, a mirror and/or one or morelenses can be coupled with the frame, and the frame can position the TRMindirectly within the field of view of the camera such that the TRM isimaged via the mirror and/or through the one or more lenses.

In some embodiments, the TRM includes a temperature reactive paint.Optionally, the TRM comprises a first temperature reactive film. In someembodiments, the TRM comprises the first temperature reactive film and asecond temperature reactive film. The first temperature reactive filmcan be responsive to a first temperature range and the secondtemperature reactive film can be responsive to a second temperaturerange, which can be the same or different than the first temperaturerange. In still further embodiments, multiple discrete temperaturereactive films are utilized, each of which can be particularly sensitiveto certain temperature ranges and/or can overlap in temperature range.

In some embodiments, the camera attachment includes a contact plate thatis thermally coupled with a distal side of the TRM. The distal side ofthe TRM can be opposite a proximal side of the TRM that is imaged by thecamera.

In some embodiments, the camera attachment includes one or more springs(e.g., a compression spring(s)) that bias a position of the contactplate relative to the frame. In such embodiments, the one or moresprings accommodates movement of the contact plate relative to the frameto inhibit or prevent high contact pressure, which can alter thetemperature of a skin surface region via induced alteration of bloodflow.

In some embodiments of the camera attachment, the TRM is thermallyinsulated from the frame. For example, the TRM can be thermallyinsulated from the frame via a thermal insulation such as a foam, an airgap, and/or the like.

Optionally, the camera attachment can include a light pipe that isconfigured to optically couple with a light source (e.g., a flash unit)of the camera. The light pipe can deliver light energy from the lightsource of the camera toward the TRM to illuminate the TRM.

The camera attachment can be passive or active. For example, the cameraattachment can be passive (e.g., lacking a power source or electronics).In other embodiments, the temperature monitoring portion is passive andthe attachment is powered to provide additional functionality (e.g., theframe can be part of a phone case supporting an external power sourcefor charging the phone and/or a powered sensor).

In some embodiments, a method of measuring a temperature is provided.The method includes receiving camera image data. The camera image dataincludes image data associated with a TRM. The method further includeanalyzing the image data associated with the TRM to measure atemperature of the TRM. Thereafter, the measured temperature can beprocessed in any suitable fashion including, but not limited to, storedin memory, transferred to another application, and/or outputted to auser.

In some embodiments, the method includes switching the camera from acamera mode to a temperature analysis mode prior to analyzing the imagedata of the TRM. The temperature analysis mode can be configured toanalyze the image data of the TRM by analyzing at least a portion of theimage data associated with the TRM. In some embodiments, the camera canbe switched from the temperature analysis mode to the camera mode. Inthe camera mode, the received image data can be processed to removeimage data associated with the TRM from the received image data.

In some embodiments, the image data of the TRM is analyzed by assigningone or more color model values to the image data of the TRM, which inturn can be used to estimate a temperature of the TRM. The one or morecolor model values may, for example, be red-green-blue (“RGB”) colormodel values, cyan-magenta-yellow-black (“CMYK”) color model values,hue-saturation-brightness (“HSB”) color model values,hue-saturation-lightness (“HSL”) color model values, or YUV color modelvalues (where the color space is defined in terms of one luma and twochrominance components), etc. Optionally, the image data associated withthe TRM can be further analyzed to measure the temperature of the TRM byapplying an equation to the one or more color model values that maps theone or more color model values to a temperature value. In someembodiments, the image data associated with the TRM is analyzed byaccessing a lookup table that associates the one or more color modelvalues to temperature values. In some embodiments, the lookup table is atwo- or three-dimensional lookup table that provides accurate mappingbetween temperature and color model values.

This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of thedisclosure and introduces some of the concepts that are furtherdescribed in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine thescope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should beunderstood by reference to appropriate portions of the entirespecification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

The disclosure will be better understood on reading the followingdescription and examining the figures that accompany it. These figuresare provided by way of illustration only and are in no way limiting onthe disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details, aspects and embodiments of the disclosure will bedescribed by way of example only and with reference to the drawings. Inthe drawings, like reference numbers are used to identify like orfunctionally similar elements. Elements in the figures are illustratedfor simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary method of measuring temperatureaccording to some embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a plurality of images of a temperature reactive material(TRM) captured by a camera.

FIG. 3 shows isolated images of the TRM imaged by the camera in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary three-coordinate lookup tableassociating RGB values with temperature.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary two-coordinate lookup table associatingblue and green values with temperature.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary camera attachmentfor temperature measurement according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates the attachment of the exemplary camera attachment ofFIG. 6 to a smartphone according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates the camera view of the smartphone camera through theexemplary camera attachment of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 illustrates a contact assembly for a camera attachment accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the contact assembly ofFIG. 9 along A-A.

FIG. 11 shows a set of images captured with a camera with a contactassembly similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary plot associating RGB values withtemperature generated from the set of images illustrated in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows another set of images captured with a camera with acontact assembly similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary plot associating RGB values withtemperature generated from the set of images illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 shows another set of images captured with a camera with acontact assembly similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary plot associating RGB values withtemperature generated from the set of images illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 shows another set of images captured with a camera with acontact assembly similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9.

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary plot associating RGB values withtemperature generated from the set of images illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 illustrates a composite of the plots of FIG. 12, FIG. 14, FIG.16, and FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 illustrates another exemplary camera attachment for temperaturemeasurement according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to temperature measurementsystems and methods. In some embodiments, a camera attachment isprovided that enables image based temperature measurement and is lowcost. In some embodiments, the attachment is configured to be coupledwith a smartphone to take advantage of the integrated camera andprocessing power to measure the temperature of an object. Accordingly,in some embodiments, the camera attachment and image processing methodscan be used to take body temperature measurements. In many embodiments,these systems and methods utilize color changes in a temperaturereactive material (TRM) to measure the temperature of an object.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary method 100 of measuring temperatureaccording to some embodiments of the disclosure. Any suitable device,including the camera attachments described herein, can be used topractice the method 100. Method 100 includes receiving image data thatincludes image data associated with a TRM that is thermally coupled withan object (act 102). Data associated with at least a portion of the TRMcan be isolated from the received image data (act 104). One or morecolor model values is assigned to image data associated with the TRM(act 106). A temperature of the TRM is estimated based on the one ormore color model values assigned to the image data associated with theTRM (act 108). Thereafter, the estimated temperature of the TRM can beprocessed in any suitable manner (act 110). For example, the estimatedtemperature can be stored in memory and/or sent to another applicationfor use. The estimated temperature can be output to the user at anysuitable time and/or in any suitable manner.

As mentioned above, the image processing methods disclosed herein maytake advantage of color changes in a TRM in order to measure thetemperature of an object that is thermally coupled with the TRM.Accordingly, in many embodiments, the image data processed includesimage data associated with a TRM. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates aplurality of images 200 of a TRM captured by a camera at differenttemperatures ranging from 25° C. in the top left image and incrementallyincreasing by 1° C. to 40° C. in the bottom right image. The imaged TRMcomprises a thermo-chromic liquid crystal film (LC-3035, EducationalInnovations, Inc.) and the temperature of the liquid crystal film wascontrolled by a thermoelectric cooler. While the plurality of images 200of the TRM include the entire sheet of the TRM, it should be understoodthat in some embodiments, only a portion of the TRM is captured in theimage data that is processed to determine the temperature of the TRM.

As can be seen in the plurality of images 200 in FIG. 2, in someembodiments, the received image data includes image data in addition tothe image data associated with the TRM. Accordingly, in someembodiments, image data associated with the TRM can be isolated from thereceived image data 104 and analyzed to measure temperature. Forexample, the top left image of the plurality of images 200 in FIG. 2illustrates an exemplary isolated region 202, where image dataassociated with the TRM is isolated from the received image data 104. Insome embodiments, the region 202 can be a user specified region.Alternatively, the region 202 can be a predetermined region of thereceived image data when the received image data is captured with acamera attachment that positions the TRM in a known location in thecamera's field of view.

FIG. 3 illustrates isolated images 300 of the TRM photographed in FIG.2. In some embodiments, the region 202 includes only a portion of theTRM, as can be seen in the color versions of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, but inother embodiments, the region 202 includes all of the TRM.

Once the image data associated with the TRM is isolated or otherwiselocalized from the received image data, one or more color model valuescan be assigned to the image data associated with the TRM (act 106). Insome embodiments, the one or more color model values are assigned basedon the average color model values for the isolated region of the imagedata. The one or more color model values may, for example, bered-green-blue (“RGB”) color model values, cyan-magenta-yellow-black(“CMYK”) color model values, hue-saturation-brightness (“HSB”) colormodel values, hue-saturation-lightness (“HSL”) color model values, orYUV color model values (where the color space is defined in terms of oneluma and two chrominance components), etc.

For example, FIG. 4 shows the temperatures of the temperature reactivefilm imaged and isolated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, respectively, in RGBcoordinate space. As can be seen in FIG. 4, for the particular TRMimaged and isolated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, when heating the TRM from 25°C. to 28° C., the red value increases significantly, with moderateincreases in green and blue values. Continued heating of the TRM from28° C. to 30° C. resulted in a decrease in red and blue values, with acontinued increase in green value. Further heating of the TRM from 30°C. to 36° C. resulted in an increase in blue value and decreases in redand green values. Heating of the TRM from 36° C. to 40° C. resulted indecreases in red, green, and blue values. The above-describedtemperature/color profile for the particular TRM imaged and isolated inFIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is for one exemplary material and other materials mayhave a different temperature/color profile(s).

Thereafter, a temperature of the TRM can be determined based on the oneor more color model values assigned to the image data associated withthe TRM (act 108). The temperature can be calculated based on acalibration equation or by accessing a look-up table that associates theone or more color model values to temperature. For example, based on thetemperature of the temperature reactive film in RGB coordinate spaceshown in FIG. 4, an exemplary two-coordinate lookup table was generatedassociating blue and green values with temperature, as can be seen inFIG. 5. After calculating the temperature, the resulting temperaturevalue can be processed in any suitable manner (act 110) (e.g., stored inmemory, output to another application, and/or outputted to a user 110).

As mentioned above, in some embodiments, the image data associated withthe TRM is captured with the assistance of a camera attachment. In manyembodiments, the camera attachment includes the TRM and positions theTRM within a field of view of the camera. The camera attachment can beconfigured to be attached to any suitable device that includes a camera.

For example, in some embodiments, the camera attachment is configured tobe attached to a mobile phone that includes a camera. In suchembodiments, the camera attachment can include a frame/adapter thatforms an aperture that receives and accommodates a portion of the mobilephone. In some embodiments, the frame/adapter limits the extent to whichthe mobile phone can be inserted into the aperture so as to position theTRM within the field of view of the camera when the camera is fullyinserted into the aperture. In some embodiments, the camera attachmentincludes a frame/adapter that also functions as a case for the mobilephone. In some embodiments, the camera attachment includes aframe/adapter that is configured to be clipped onto a portion of thephone, and, in some embodiments, may need to be manually positionedrelative to the phone (e.g., by a user of the phone) to position the TRMwithin the field of view of the camera. In such embodiments, the phonecan be configured to provide feedback that aids in the manualpositioning of the frame/adapter relative to the camera. For example,the camera can capture one or more images that can be analyzed (e.g., bythe user, automatically via image processing software executed by thephone) to determine: (a) if the TRM is suitably positioned within thefield of view of the camera and/or (b) if the frame/adapter needs to berepositioned relative to the camera to suitably position the TRM withinthe field of view of the camera and, if so, in what direction and bywhat amount. In such embodiments, the frame/adapter can include one ormore features (e.g., one or more fiducial markers) that can beidentified in the one or more images and the position of the one or morefeatures in the image used to generate the feedback provided to aid inthe positioning of the frame/adapter relative to the camera.

As another example, in some embodiments, the camera attachment isconfigured to be attached to a dedicated camera device (e.g., a singlelens reflex (SLR) camera, a point-and-shoot camera). In someembodiments, the camera attachment can include a frame/adapter thatforms an aperture configured to receive and accommodate a portion of thecamera's lens barrel so as to position the TRM in the field of view whenthe lens barrel is positioned in the aperture. In some embodiments, thecamera includes image processing software that automatically analyzesone or more particular predetermined portions of a captured image thatinclude the TRM to make a temperature measurement. This may beadvantageous, especially when the camera attachment has other functions,embodiments of which are described in further detail below. Further, aportion of the camera attachment can serve as a color reference that canbe used to calibrate color values of the TRM. For example, the colorreference can have known color values (gray, white, blue, green, yellow,or red color reference, or the like) so that color values of the TRM canbe calibrated between multiple images. In some embodiments, the cameraattachment includes one or more fiducial markers that indicate where thecolor reference is located. In some embodiments, the camera attachmentincludes a readable label (e.g., a barcode label) that identifies atype/model of the camera attachment. In such embodiments, the type/modelof the camera attachment can then be used to identify where the colorreference and/or the TRM is located. In some embodiments, the cameraattachment positions the color reference within the field of view of thecamera, similar to the TRM. Moreover, in some embodiments, the colorreference is positioned in a predetermined location within the camera'sfield of view so that corresponding image processing software canautomatically analyze a particular predetermined location of thecaptured images to analyze the color reference and to thereaftercalibrate color values of the TRM accordingly.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary camera attachment600 for temperature measurement according to some embodiments.Furthermore, in some embodiments, camera attachment 600 can be used toprovide dermatoscope functionality to an attached camera. In theillustrated embodiment, camera attachment 600 is configured to beattached to a smartphone to cooperate with a camera and a light sourceof the smartphone.

Camera attachment 600 includes a frame 602, a TRM 608, and a contactmember 610. In the illustrated embodiment, the camera attachment furtherincludes an optional lens 604 and an optional light pipe 606, which canbe omitted in some embodiments. In some embodiments, frame 602 includesan opening for allowing the camera of the smartphone to capture imagestherethrough. In some embodiments, frame 602 is configured to positioneach of the components 604, 606, and 608 in a known relationship with acamera of the smartphone. Frame 602 can align the optical axis of thelens 604 with an optical axis of the camera of the smartphone.Additionally, the frame 602 can position the light pipe 606 relative tothe smartphone such that a proximal end of the light pipe 606 isoptically coupled with a light source of the smartphone. Moreover, theframe 602 can position at least a portion of the TRM 608 within a fieldof view of the smartphone camera when the frame 602 is coupled thereto.In some embodiments, the frame 602 is configured for attachment to thephone (e.g., via an opening in the frame 602 into which a portion of thephone is inserted). In other embodiments, the frame 602 is configuredfor attachment to an adapter (e.g., adapter 702 described below) that isconfigured for attachment to the phone.

In some embodiments, lens 604 provides additional magnification to thecamera of an attached smartphone. The additional magnification may beuseful when the smartphone is used as a dermatoscope. The lens 604 canbe coupled to the frame 602 using any suitable approach, for example,via a suitable adhesive, and/or via a suitable non-adhesive mechanism(e.g., mechanical attachment). In some embodiments, the lens 604 ispositioned about the opening of frame 602 such that frame 602 aligns theoptical axis of the lens 604 with the camera of the smartphone when theattachment 600 is coupled thereto.

Light pipe 606 can include a proximal portion 614 and a distal portion616. The proximal portion of light pipe 614 can be configured tooptically couple with the light source of the smartphone. Light pipe 606can direct and/or diffuse light from the light source of the smartphonefrom the proximal portion 614 toward the distal portion 616 toilluminate the camera's field of view when capturing images. In someembodiments, the distal portion 616 comprises a ring with an aperture.An axis of the aperture can be aligned with an axis of the lens 604. Insome embodiments, light pipe 606 is not included. For example, someembodiments of the attachment 600 can include a separate light source orambient light for illuminating the TRM 608.

In many embodiments, the TRM 608 includes any suitable material that hasan optical characteristic, such as color, that changes responsive totemperature of the TRM 608 over a predetermined temperature band. TheTRM 608 can have any suitable configuration. For example, in someembodiments, the TRM 608 comprises a laminated or painted thermochromicfilm. In the illustrated embodiment, TRM 608 comprises a firstthermochromic film 618 and a second thermochromic film 620. In theillustrated embodiment, the films 618, 620 are arcuate strips positionedaround the opening of the frame 602. The first and second thermochromicfilms 618, 620 can be designed for increased sensitivity to a particulartemperature range. For example, the first thermochromic film 618 can bea 30-35° C. range liquid crystal sheet and second thermochromic film 620can be a 35-40° C. range liquid crystal sheet. While illustrated asincluding two films, it should be understood that other embodiments canutilize a single sheet of a TRM, as illustrated in the example of FIGS.2-5. In other embodiments, a plurality of separate films can be used(e.g., 2, 3, 4 or more) to increase temperature measurement resolution.Additionally, the TRM sheets can be reactive to different temperatureranges, larger temperature ranges (e.g., greater than 5° C. range),and/or smaller temperature ranges (e.g., less than 5° C. range) and canalso be reactive to temperature ranges that overlap. In someembodiments, it may be beneficial to utilize TRM where color change islinear over the assigned temperature measurement range, however TRMswith non-linear color changes are also possible for use in theattachment.

Contact member 610 can have any suitable configuration. For example inthe illustrated embodiment, contact member 610 has a ring configuration.In some embodiments, the contact member 610 is configured to conductheat from the surface contacted by the contact member 610 to the TRM608. In many embodiments, some or all of the contact member 610 isformed of a heat-conductive material (e.g., aluminum, brass, stainlesssteel, copper, metal alloys, etc.). In some embodiments, theheat-conductive portion of the contact member 610 is thermally coupledwith a distal side of the TRM 608 that is opposite of a proximal side ofthe TRM 608 that is imaged by the camera when the attachment 600 is inuse. In some embodiments, the TRM 608 is adhered to the contact member610 with an adhesive. In some embodiments, the adhesive comprises athermal paste, which can also help to transfer heat between the contactmember 610 and the TRM 608. Optionally, the contact member 610 supportsthe TRM 608 relative to the frame 602 and helps thermally isolate theTRM 608 from the remainder of attachment 600. In some embodiments, thecontact member 610 couples to the frame 602 along an outer perimeter ofcontact member 610 by a pressure reactive adhesive 622 with high thermalconductivity. In some embodiments, a spring can be used to bias theposition of the contact member 610 relative to the frame 602 so as tolimit contact pressure between the contact member 610 and a surfacecontacted by the contact member 610.

Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, contact member 610 includesan aperture 624 shaped to enable the camera to capture an image thatincludes something in front of the aperture 624. In the illustratedembodiment, the aperture 624 has a portion sized and located to allowlight conducted through the light pipe 606 to be emitted from the distalportion 616 of light pipe 606 to illuminate the area in front of contactmember 610. This may be advantageous when the smartphone is used tocapture images as a dermatoscope. To limit reflections of the light offof the contact member 610 when in an image capture mode, the proximalsurface of the contact member 610 can be roughened and/or can include ananti-reflective coating or dark/blackened surface. While contact member610 has a ring configuration in the illustrated embodiment, the contactmember 610 can have any other suitable configuration (e.g., partialannulus or the like).

FIG. 7 illustrates the distal side of the exemplary camera attachment600 of FIG. 6 attached to a smartphone 700 that includes a camera,according to some embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, cameraattachment 600 is configured to couple to the smartphone 700 via anadaptor 702. In some embodiments, adaptor 702 is configured to be fittedover an end of smartphone 700 that includes the camera. Adaptor 702 canbe configured to fit a number of different camera attachments, such asattachment 600. Accordingly, in some embodiments, adaptor 702 can remainfitted on smartphone 700, while various attachments (e.g., attachment600) are interchanged on and off the smartphone 700. In someembodiments, adaptor 702 can slidably couple with attachment 600 suchthat the attachment 600 can be slid into position with the camera whenthe functionality of attachment 600 is desired (e.g., temperaturemeasurement, dermatoscope) and slid out of position with the camera whenthe functionality of attachment 600 is not needed. While attachment 600is illustrated with use of adaptor 702 to attach to smartphone 700, itshould be understood that other attachment methods are possible. Forexample, attachment 600 may be integrated with adaptor 702 to attachdirectly to smartphone 700.

FIG. 8 illustrates the proximal side of camera attachment 600 of FIG. 6to illustrate a camera's field of view through the attachment 600.Images captured by a smartphone camera can include a portion/region ofthe image that is imaged through the opening of attachment 602 (e.g.,when used as a dermatoscope, or the like) and a peripheral image of atleast a portion of the first thermochromic film 618 and at least aportion of the second thermochromic film 620. When the portion/region ofthe image captured through the opening of the attachment 602 is ofinterest, software installed on the smartphone can provide a camera modethat is configured to remove the peripheral image of the firstthermochromic film 618 and the second thermochromic film 620 so thatonly the portion/region of the image that is imaged through the openingof attachment 602 is outputted to the user. Additionally, in someembodiments, a contact member cover can be provided that is configuredto be disposed over the contact member 610 when the smartphone is incamera mode. As mentioned above, contact member 610 may cause unintendedlight reflections in the central image. Accordingly, a contact membercover can be removably attached to the contact member 610 to reduce thelight reflections caused by contact member 610. In some embodiments, thesoftware installed on the smartphone is configured to detect when thecontact member cover is attached (e.g., via detecting the presence ofthe contact member cover via image processing) and automatically switchto camera mode if not already in camera mode.

When temperature measurement is desired, software installed on thesmartphone can switch to a temperature analysis mode that is configuredto analyze captured image data to measure a temperature based on theimage data associated with the peripheral image of the firstthermochromic film 618 and the second thermochromic film 620. In someembodiments, when in temperature analysis mode, an image of the TRM 608is not sent to the user and only the temperature measurement isdelivered. Additionally, when a contact member cover is used, it can beremoved from the contact member 610 to allow the contact member todirectly contact a surface where a temperature reading is desired.Additionally, in some embodiments of the temperature analysis mode, whenthe portion/region of the image captured through the opening of theattachment 602 is also of interest, the camera software can beconfigured to display the portion/region of the image captured throughthe opening of the attachment 602 while simultaneously measuring (andoptionally displaying) the measured temperature value.

FIG. 9 illustrates another contact member 610 a for a camera attachment(e.g., attachment 600), according to some embodiments. FIG. 10illustrates a cross-sectional view of contact member 610 a along A-A ofFIG. 9. Contact member 610 a comprises thermally conductive elements 611supported by a support member 613. Similar to contact member 610,contact member 610 a includes an aperture 624 in the support member 613to allow a light source of the smartphone to illuminate the area distalto the contact member 610 a. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the TRM 618 a,620 a can be adhered to or painted on the proximal side of conductiveelements 611.

In the illustrated embodiment, the relatively small size of thermallyconductive elements 611 provides low thermal mass to reduce the amountof time to achieve thermal equilibrium between the elements 611 and theobject contacted by the elements 611 as compared to larger thermal massconductive elements. In some embodiments, a thickness of each of thethermally conductive elements 611 is 500 μm or less (e.g., 100 μm).Additionally, it may be beneficial to thermally isolate each of thethermally conductive elements 611 from the support member 613 and therest of the attachment. For example, in some embodiments, the supportmember 613 comprise a material that is less thermally conductive thanthe elements 611. Additionally, a layer of foam material can be disposedbetween each of the thermally conductive elements 611 and the supportmember 613 to help thermally isolate the thermally conductive element611 and the TRM from the rest of the attachment. Further, in someembodiments, one or more springs 615 (e.g., a compression spring or thelike) can be used to bias the position of the contact member 610 arelative to the frame 602. In such embodiments, the one or more springs615 can be configured to accommodate proximal movement of the contactmember 610 a relative to the frame 602 to reduce contact pressurebetween the contact member 610 a and the object contacted by the contactmember 610 a. In the alternative, springs 615 can be replaced by rigidposts.

FIG. 11 illustrates a set of images captured with a camera with acontact member similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9. In theexperimental setup, the contact member comprised a plastic cap with awhite reflector in the image field. Additionally, the contact membercomprised two strips of TRM. FIG. 11 illustrates a plurality of images1104 of the TRM of the contact member captured by a camera at differenttemperatures of the TRM ranging from 25° C. in the top left image andincrementally increasing by 1° C. to 40° C. in the bottom right image.The temperature of the liquid crystal film TRM was controlled by athermoelectric cooler. As can be seen in the captured images 1104, onlya portion of each of the TRM strips is captured in the image data.

Image data associated with the TRM strips was isolated from the receivedimage data 1104 during image processing for temperature measurement. Forexample, image 1106 of the plurality of images 1104 in FIG. 11illustrates exemplary isolated regions 1108, 1110, each associated withone of the TRM strips, where image data associated with the TRM stripswas isolated from the image data 1104. The regions 1108, 1110 can beuser specified before or during image processing. Alternatively, theisolated regions 1108, 1110 can be predetermined locations in thereceived image data 1104 when the received image data is captured withthe camera attachment that positions the TRM in a known location in thecamera's field of view.

Isolated images 1112, 1114 of the TRM strips are illustrated at thebottom of FIG. 11. In some embodiments, the isolated regions 1108, 1110include only a portion of the TRM, but in other embodiments, theisolated regions 1108, 1110 include all of the TRM strips. FIG. 12illustrates an exemplary plot associating RGB values with temperaturesgenerated from the set of images illustrated in FIG. 11. The blue lineassociates RGB values from the isolated regions 1112 with temperatureand the green line associates the RGB values from the isolated regions1114 with temperature. In the plot, the average RGB values in subimageregions are normalized to average intensity in the regions using thefollowing:

${R_{n} = \frac{R}{{sqrt}\left( {R^{2} + G^{2} + B^{2}} \right)}}{G_{n} = \frac{G}{{sqrt}\left( {R^{2} + G^{2} + B^{2}} \right)}}{B_{n} = \frac{B}{{sqrt}\left( {R^{2} + G^{2} + B^{2}} \right)}}$

From the images of FIG. 11 and their corresponding plots in FIG. 12,white haze may reduce the span of color change of the TRM strips.Additionally, the Red-Green projection may contain the most temperatureinformation.

FIG. 13 illustrates another set of images captured with a camera with acontact member similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9. In theexperimental setup, the contact member comprised a plastic cap with ablack reflector in the image field. Additionally, the contact membercomprised two strips of TRM, similar to the contact member illustratedused in the experiment of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 illustrates a plurality ofimages 1304 of the TRM strips captured by a camera at differenttemperatures of the TRM strips ranging from 25° C. in the top left imageand incrementally increasing by 1° C. to 40° C. in the bottom rightimage. The temperature of the TRM strips was controlled by athermoelectric cooler. As can be seen in the captured images 1304, onlya portion of each of the TRM strips is captured in the image data.

Additionally, image data associated with the TRM strips was isolatedfrom the received image data 1304 during image processing fortemperature measurement. For example, image 1306 of the plurality ofimages 1304 in FIG. 13 illustrates exemplary isolated regions 1308,1310, each associated with one of the TRM strips, where image dataassociated with the TRM strips was isolated from the image data 1304.The regions 1308, 1310 can be user specified before and/or during imageprocessing. Alternatively, the isolated regions 1308, 1310 can bepredetermined locations in the received image data 1304 when thereceived image data is captured with the camera attachment thatpositions the TRM in a known location in the camera's field of view.

Isolated images 1312, 1314 of the TRM strips are illustrated at thebottom of FIG. 13. In some embodiments, the isolated regions 1308, 1310include only a portion of the TRM, but in other embodiments, theisolated regions 1308, 1310 include all of the TRM strips. FIG. 14illustrates an exemplary plot associating RGB values with temperaturesgenerated from the set of images illustrated in FIG. 13. The blue lineassociates RGB values from the isolated regions 1312 with temperatureand the green line associates the RGB values from the isolated regions1314 with temperature. As can be seen, the Red-Green projection maycontain the most temperature information.

FIG. 15 illustrates another set of images captured with a camera with acontact member similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9. In theexperimental setup, the contact member comprised a metal cap with awhite reflector in the image field. Additionally, the contact membercomprised a single strip of TRM. FIG. 15 illustrates a plurality ofimages 1504 of the TRM of the contact member captured by a camera atdifferent temperatures of the TRM strip ranging from 25° C. in the topleft image and incrementally increasing by 1° C. to 40° C. in the bottomright image. The temperature of the TRM strip was controlled by athermoelectric cooler. As can be seen in the captured images 1504, onlya portion of the TRM strip is captured in the image data.

Additionally, image data associated with the TRM strip was isolated fromthe received image data 1504 during image processing for temperaturemeasurement. For example, image 1506 of the plurality of images 1504 inFIG. 13 illustrates exemplary isolated regions 1508, 1510, eachassociated with the single strip of TRM, where image data associatedwith the TRM strip was isolated from the image data 1504. Accordingly,in some embodiments, multiple isolated regions (e.g., two, three, four,or more) can be associated with a single TRM strip. This may providemore accurate temperature measurements. The regions 1508, 1510 can beuser specified before and/or during image processing. Alternatively, theisolated regions 1508, 1510 can be predetermined locations in thereceived image data 1504 when the received image data is captured withthe camera attachment that positions the TRM in a known location in thecamera's field of view. The isolated images 1512, 1514 of the TRM stripare illustrated at the bottom of FIG. 15.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary plot associating RGB values withtemperature generated from the set of images illustrated in FIG. 15. Theblue line associates RGB values from the isolated regions 1512 withtemperature and the green line associates the RGB values from theisolated regions 1514 with temperature. From the images of FIG. 15 andtheir corresponding plots in FIG. 16, white haze may reduce the span ofcolor change, similar to the experiment illustrated in FIG. 11 and FIG.13. Again, the Red-Green projection may contain the most temperatureinformation.

FIG. 17 illustrates another set of images captured with a camera with acontact member similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9. In theexperimental setup, the contact member comprised a metal cap with ablack reflector in the image field. Additionally, the contact membercomprised a single strip of temperature sensitive material, similar tothe contact member used for the experiment shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 17illustrates a plurality of images 1704 of the TRM of the contact membercaptured by a camera at different temperatures ranging from 25° C. inthe top left image and incrementally increasing by 1° C. to 40° C. inthe bottom right image. The temperature of the liquid crystal film wascontrolled by a thermoelectric cooler. As can be seen in the capturedimages 1704, only a portion of each of the TRM strips is captured in theimage data.

Additionally, image data associated with the TRM strip is isolated fromthe received image data 1704 during image processing for temperaturemeasurement. For example, the image 1706 of the plurality of images 1704in FIG. 17 illustrates exemplary isolated regions 1708, 1710, eachassociated with the single strip of TRM, where image data associatedwith the TRM strip was isolated from the image data 1704. Accordingly,in some embodiments, multiple isolated regions (e.g., two, three, four,or more) can be associated with a single TRM strip. This may providemore accurate temperature measurements. The regions 1708, 1710 can beuser specified before and/or during image processing. Alternatively, theisolated regions 1708, 1710 can be predetermined locations in thereceived image data 1704 when the received image data is captured withthe camera attachment that positions the TRM strip in a known locationin the camera's field of view. The isolated images 1712, 1714 of the TRMstrip are illustrated at the bottom of FIG. 17.

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary plot associating RGB values withtemperature generated from the set of images illustrated in FIG. 17. Theblue line associates RGB values from the isolated regions 1712 withtemperature and the green line associates the RGB values from theisolated regions 1714 with temperature.

FIG. 19 illustrates a composite of the plots of FIG. 12, FIG. 14, FIG.16, and FIG. 18 of the best subimage from each configuration of thecontact member. The blue line is associated with the plastic contactmember with the black background. The green line is associated with theplastic contact member with the white background. The red line isassociated with the metal contact member with the black background. Theblack line is associated with the metal contact member with the whitebackground. From the plots, it can be seen that non-uniform illuminationand reflections from the surface may significantly affect RGB mapping.

FIG. 20 illustrates another camera attachment 800 for temperaturemeasurement according to some embodiments. Furthermore, cameraattachment 800 can also be used to provide otoscope functionality to anattached camera. In the illustrated embodiment, camera attachment 800 isconfigured to be attached to a smartphone 801 to cooperate with a camera802 and the light source 803 of the smartphone 801.

The attachment 800 includes an otoscope cone 804 configured to beinserted distally into an ear of a patient. The cone 804 has a proximalbase portion, a distal tip portion, and a neck region disposed betweenthe proximal base portion and the distal tip. The proximal base portionis configured to couple with the distal face of the smartphone 801 andoptically couple the attachment 800 with the light source 803 of thesmartphone 801. The attachment 800 tapers down from the proximal baseportion toward the distal tip portion, which is configured to beinserted into the ear of the patient. The neck region can be configuredto contact a surface of the ear to limit insertion depth of the cone 804into the ear to prevent inadvertent damage to the ear during use.Additionally, the neck region can comprise a thermally conductivematerial 806 with a distal surface for contacting the ear. A proximalsurface of the thermally conductive material 806 can be coupled with aTRM 808.

Cone 804 can house a plurality of lenses 810, 812, 814 for imaging theinside of the ear and can align the lens axes with the camera 802 of thesmartphone 801. In the illustrated embodiment, the cone 804 houseslenses 810, 812, and 814. Lens 810 can be at the distal tip of the cone804. Lens 810 can be at the neck region of cone 804. Lens 814 can be atthe proximal base portion of cone 804. The lens 814 can help camera 802of the smartphone 801 image at least a portion of the TRM 808.

In use, the attachment 800 can be attached to smartphone 801 andinserted into the ear of a patient. During insertion, the neck regioncan contact the skin of the patient to limit insertion depth. Onceinserted, the inside of the ear can be imaged by the camera 802.Additionally, the thermally conductive material 806 will equilibratewith the patient's temperature and the TRM 808 will change color inresponse. During imaging of the inside of the ear, the camera 802 alsocapture images of the TRM 808. The cone 804 can also include a lightpipe (e.g., similar to light pipe 606) or other optical components forguiding light from the light source 803 toward the inside of the earand/or toward the TRM 808 to facilitate viewing and imagining of theinside of the ear and the TRM 808. The smartphone 801 can then measure atemperature of the TRM 808 using the methods described herein and canoutput the temperature to the physician/user. In some embodiments, thesmartphone 801 can image the ear simultaneously with the temperaturemeasurement. The processing can isolate the image of the TRM from theear image and can separately process the isolated imaged of the TRM tomeasure temperature. Thereafter, the smartphone can output the image ofthe ear in combination with the temperature measurement.

The illustrated attachment 800 is described with specificity, but itshould be understood that other modifications are possible. For example,attachment 800 can include one or more mirrors for imaging the TRM 808with camera 802. Additionally, while illustrated with three lenses, 810,812, and 814, other embodiments can utilized fewer or more lenses.Similarly, while illustrated with a single strip of TRM 808, otherembodiments can include multiple strips (e.g., for different temperatureranges or for spaced apart locations for better temperaturemeasurements)

While the camera attachments 600, 800 provides dual functionality, i.e.,temperature measurement and optical instrument, it should be understoodthat the camera attachment may be specific for temperature measurementalone. For example, in some embodiments, an attachment can be providedthat includes a TRM and that does not include separate lens or anaperture to allow the camera to image anything other than the TRM. Theattachment may nevertheless provide temperature measurements by relyingsolely on the smartphone's native imaging capabilities in combinationwith image processing techniques to derive temperature from the imagedata associated with the TRM.

One or more computing devices can be adapted to provide desiredfunctionality by accessing software instructions rendered in acomputer-readable form. When software is used, any suitable programming,scripting, or other type of language or combinations of languages can beused to implement the teachings contained herein. However, software neednot be used exclusively, or at all. For example, some embodiments of themethods and systems set forth herein can also be implemented byhard-wired logic or other circuitry, including but not limited toapplication-specific circuits. Combinations of computer-executedsoftware and hard-wired logic or other circuitry may be suitable aswell.

Embodiments of the methods disclosed herein can be executed by one ormore suitable computing devices. Such system(s) may comprise one or morecomputing devices adapted to perform one or more embodiments of themethods disclosed herein. As noted above, such devices may access one ormore computer-readable media that embody computer-readable instructionswhich, when executed by at least one computer, cause the at least onecomputer to implement one or more embodiments of the methods of thepresent subject matter. Additionally or alternatively, the computingdevice(s) may comprise circuitry that renders the device(s) operative toimplement one or more of the methods of the present subject matter.

Any suitable computer-readable medium or media may be used to implementor practice the presently-disclosed subject matter, including but notlimited to, diskettes, drives, and other magnetic-based storage media,optical storage media, including disks (e.g., CD-ROMS, DVD-ROMS,variants thereof, etc.), flash, RAM, ROM, and other memory devices, andthe like.

The subject matter of embodiments of the present disclosure is describedhere with specificity, but this description is not necessarily intendedto limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may beembodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and maybe used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. Thisdescription should not be interpreted as implying any particular orderor arrangement among or between various steps or elements except whenthe order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitlydescribed.

It will be appreciated that personal information data may be utilized ina number of ways to provide benefits to a user of a device. For example,personal information such as health or biometric data may be utilizedfor convenient authentication and/or access to the device without theneed of a user having to enter a password. Still further, collection ofuser health or biometric data (e.g., temperature measurements) may beused to provide feedback about the user's health and/or fitness levels.It will further be appreciated that entities responsible for collecting,analyzing, storing, transferring, disclosing, and/or otherwise utilizingpersonal information data are in compliance with established privacy andsecurity policies and/or practices that meet or exceed industry and/orgovernment standards, such as data encryption. For example, personalinformation data should be collected only after receiving user informedconsent and for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and notshared or sold outside those legitimate and reasonable uses. Stillfurther, such entities would take the necessary measures forsafeguarding and securing access to collected personal information dataand for ensuring that those with access to personal information dataadhere to established privacy and security policies and/or practices. Inaddition, such entities may be audited by a third party to certifyadherence to established privacy and security policies and/or practices.It is also contemplated that a user may selectively prevent or block theuse of or access to personal information data. Hardware and/or softwareelements or features may be configured to block use or access. Forinstance, a user may select to remove, disable, or restrict access tocertain health related applications that collect personal information,such as health or fitness data. Alternatively, a user may optionallybypass biometric authentication methods by providing other secureinformation such as passwords, personal identification numbers, touchgestures, or other authentication methods known to those skilled in theart.

Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings ordescribed above, as well as components and steps not shown or describedare possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are usefuland may be employed without reference to other features andsub-combinations. Embodiments of the disclosure have been described forillustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodimentswill become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the presentdisclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above or depictedin the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be madewithout departing from the scope of the claims below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera attachment for measuring a temperatureof a surface of an object, the camera attachment comprising: atemperature reactive material that changes color in response to a changein a temperature of the temperature reactive material; a contact memberhaving a contact member proximal side and a contact member distal side,wherein the contact member distal side is configured for being contactedwith a surface of an object to measure a temperature of the surface ofthe object, wherein the contact member comprises a heat conductiveportion formed of a heat-conductive material, wherein the temperaturereactive material is thermally coupled with the contact member proximalside and the heat conductive portion for transferring heat from thesurface of the object to the temperature reactive material; and a frameconfigured to be coupled with a camera that has a field of view, whereinthe frame supports the contact member and is configured to position thetemperature reactive material within the field of view of the camera sothat an image captured by the camera includes an image of at least aportion of the temperature reactive material, wherein the temperaturereactive material is thermally insulated from the frame.
 2. The cameraattachment of claim 1, further comprising a mirror or a lens coupledwith the frame, and wherein the frame positions the temperature reactivematerial indirectly within the field of view of the camera such that thetemperature reactive material is imaged through the mirror or lens. 3.The camera attachment of claim 1, wherein the temperature reactivematerial comprises a temperature reactive paint.
 4. The cameraattachment of claim 1, wherein the temperature reactive materialcomprises a first temperature reactive film.
 5. The camera attachment ofclaim 4, wherein the temperature reactive material comprises the firsttemperature reactive film and a second temperature reactive film, thefirst temperature reactive film being responsive to a first temperaturerange, the second temperature reactive film being responsive to a secondtemperature range different than the first temperature range.
 6. Thecamera attachment of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the contact memberis 500 μm or less.
 7. The camera attachment of claim 1, furthercomprising a spring that biases a position of the contact memberrelative to the frame.
 8. The camera attachment of claim 1, furthercomprising a light pipe configured to optically couple with a light ofthe camera and to deliver light energy from the light of the cameratoward the temperature reactive material to illuminate the temperaturereactive material.
 9. The camera attachment of claim 1, furthercomprising one or more lenses coupled to the frame, the framepositioning the one or more lenses along an axis of the camera, the oneor more lenses increasing a magnification of the image captured by thecamera.
 10. The camera attachment of claim 1, wherein the cameraattachment does not include a power source or electronics.
 11. Thecamera attachment of claim 1, further comprising a spring that biases aposition of the contact member relative to the frame, wherein the springis configured to help control contact pressure between the contactmember and the object contacted by the contact member distal side. 12.The camera attachment of claim 1, wherein the temperature reactivematerial is thermally insulated from the frame via a thermal insulation.13. The camera attachment of claim 1, wherein: the contact membercomprises a centrally-located aperture configured so that the imagecaptured by the camera comprises an external image of an object in frontof the centrally-located aperture; the image captured by the cameracomprises a peripheral image that surrounds the external image; and theperipheral image comprises the image of at least a portion of thetemperature reactive material.
 14. The camera attachment of claim 13,further comprising an adaptor configured to be fitted over an end of asmartphone that includes the camera, wherein the frame is configured fordetachable mounting to the adaptor.
 15. The camera attachment of claim14, further comprising a light pipe member configured to opticallycouple with a light of the smartphone and to deliver light energy fromthe light of the smartphone to the temperature reactive material toilluminate the object in front of the centrally-located aperture. 16.The camera attachment of claim 13, wherein the contact member has a ringconfiguration.
 17. The camera attachment of claim 13, further comprisinga lens configured to provide additional magnification to the camera.